Lachie Neale has lauded the ability of Freo's sharpshooting smalls Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters to combine for six goals without a miss against the Sydney Swans.
Walters and Ballantyne defied the gusty conditions at Domain Stadium to convert all their chances in what proved to be a match-winning double act in the nine-point win.
The Dockers' straight kicking proved the difference, with the Swans kicking 1.7 from set shots in the first half.
"On a swirly day, it was really impressive the way that they finished in front of the sticks," Neale told AFL.com.au.
"I know I had a shot in the first and kicked it out on the full. It was tough conditions and they were a fair way out on a few of them.
"So it was a credit to them, and for Hayden to come in and play so well off eight weeks out of the game was really impressive and a credit to him and our fitness staff."
Ballantyne's three-goal performance was all the more outstanding, given it was his first game back after missing seven matches.
He had not played since undergoing surgery to repair a torn pec he suffered in Fremantle's round 16 win over Carlton.
It was Ballantyne's best haul in 14 games this year, after winning All Australian selection with 11 bags of three goals or more last season, and he would have had a fourth goal had Zac Clarke not marked his snap from a tight angle on the goal line early in the second term.
Of the 32 times he has kicked three goals or more, Fremantle has won 31 of those games.
His performance left coach Ross Lyon delighted.
"I thought Hayden Ballantyne, after eight weeks off, was super," Lyon said.
"He was really good, exceeded expectations. It's a credit to his preparation. He hardly missed any running at all, so he was super fit coming in.
"It’s a hard decision to leave people out who have been playing, but I think he vindicated his position quite well."
